Details on latest 14-day mandatory quarantine for all arrivals, even with negative test results.
366 thoughts on “Breaking News: Kauai To Shut Down Effective December 2.”
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Details on latest 14-day mandatory quarantine for all arrivals, even with negative test results.
Comments are closed.
I just cancelled our trip to Kauai slated for February. With the latest testing policy, prior to Kauai’s shutdown, I didn’t feel confident in our ability to avoid the quarantine. Being in Arkansas, we only had access to one of Hawaii’s testing partners (Walgreens). There are only two Walgreens in the state advertising testing turnaround times of less than 3 days. I just couldn’t get passed the idea of getting negative testing results 5 minutes after departure and still being quarantined for 14 days (if Kauai even reopens by then).
I just booked travel to St. Maartin instead. I will be able to use our neighborhood medical clinic that guarantees results in less than 24 hours. We love Kauai. It hurts that we will miss this year. We traveled in February 2019 just before the lockdown commenced. I am sad when I think about what places we visited last year that will not survive the economic abyss that is Kauai at this point. I pray for the health and economic survival of those living on the island.
Sorry, we traveled in February 2020. It does seem like forever ago though.
Thank you for the up to date coverage of news on Kauai. I am saddened to read that the cases are increasing. We will put our trip on hold and figure out a way to s support the local economy in the mean time. Order Christmas gifts online and hope they arrive on time.. I would be devastated if someone were to become ill because I selfishly went on vacation. So definitely postponing our “coming home”. Praying for better days.
I see the argument that Kauai has limited medical facilities and the population must be protected. I also see the argument that closing Kauao to visitors and Residents alike will damage the economy. My concern is that what has been implemented is the worst of both worlds.
Allowing residents to quarantine at home where their family live so they can spread to other family members does not seem sensible. Unless all family members are made to quarantine, they would then go out and soread the virus further,
Similarly allowing visitors to stay in a resort buble (which is essentially a budget resort taken over by the states could expose visitors and workers to a more concentrated virus risk and end up increasing the virus infection. Will workers be forced to quarantine there too?
It is a shame that the original 3 days isolating from family, other guests, stores, restaurants or bars at your chosen address and then getting a retest was not adopted. I thought Kauai was doing it. To me it was logical and would have given enhanced protection whilst not created infection bubbles or killing the economy. Maybe the Governor and the Mayor can agree a way to move to this over the next week, so as to increase real protection and put people back in work before Christmas.
Rich,
On small little Kauai island, thousands (yes, thousands!) of people have been quarantining at their homes since this sh*t show started last March. But they had no virus on the island. That may pop a hole in your conclusion. The state/county cannot force people to pay $200 a day (minimum) to be locked up in crappy hotel room with no food. No state in the US can do that. People are told to stay in separate room, etc. Who knows whether they do. Plus, if someone does not have symptoms after the first 3-5 days, let alone the first week, is highly unlikely they have it at all, or have enough “viral load” to be able infect someone else. This is a “just in case” paranoid number that someone came up with back at the beginning.
Thanks David.No stranger to Kauai as I have been coming 3-4 times a year except this one since 1994. Got my Hānai Ohana and I understand the issues which is why I raised it. Aside from Zuckerberg and the Hollywood crowd most folks on Kauai be they Kama’aina or Malahini are just regular people so they are not going to pay for hotel bubble. So the proposal is to quarantine at home. We know from previous experience that this does not work 100%. Partly because if there is no cousin to go to the grocery store, people have to eat so they will go. We also know children and teens are the most likely to catch Covid 2 and the most likely to be asymptomatic. Hawaiians are a very tactile society indeed the Polynesian greeting shares breath. So my concern was and remains that this may make things worse for Kauai. We hear from the Governor who is politically supporting the Mayor that the bigger issue is residents returning. Once Covid is brought onto the island it will spread. The only lockdowns that have worked have been real lock downs where a traveler or group of travelers going together have been isolated. This forms an impenetrable barrier to the virus providing airborne and garbage transmission are also stopped. Creating bubbles of potential infection where locals will work (in tropical Hazmat suits?) and potential infection risks at home will not stop it. Sure I am a bit upset it will be difficult to see everyone in the Holidays, I am hoping the political points will have been scored by New Year and I will be able to visit in early January but still not the same. My real concern is that unlike the earlier suggestion which the Governor refused (which is similar to the 2nd test the Lt Governor now proposes) which would have ramped up defense and protected jobs this may do neither, I want to be proved wrong but I have been advised by a Physician here on Oahu to give Kauai a wide berth for now. I hope the Lord protects everyone on Kauai and you all stay safe.
My heart and prayers go out to the residents of Kauai. Tourism is such a big part of our state’s economy and so many people are impacted by the absence of visitors to the state: restaurants, resorts, land, air and sea actives, etc. I imagine a shutdown of all the other islands will occur in time. Is it even possible to stop the spread through isolation and lockdowns?
Interesting that on Maui incoming arrivals from the mainland who have taken tests but don’t yet have test results must quarantine for 14 days regardless of when their negative results come through, but interisland travelers with the same problem only have to quarantine until their negative tests show up. What’s the difference in their cases? Or are we simply trying to keep out visitors?
Hi Carol,
The policy that all incoming travelers must have their negative results uploaded to the safe travels website prior to take-off to the Hawaiian islands to avoid the 14-day quarantine is for all incoming arrivals to the county’s participating in the state’s pre-travel program as of November 24th(this is a change from the previous rules) which until December 2nd at 12:01am includes Kauai.
As of December 2nd, Kauai is opting out of the safe travels program temporarily but Oahu, Maui and Hawaii County are still participating. Kauai’s opting out which actually puts greater impact on island residents both those traveling and those whose incomes depends on tourists. Please note, both residents and visitors alike can still travel to Kauai they just have to do the 14-day quarantine… which has been proven the most effective way to prevent community spread.
Hope that this helps clear things up for you!
As one of the “selfish”, “greedy”, “over indulgent”, “privileged” tourists referred to by individuals like Glenna G, Richard C, David R and others who supposedly espouse the Aloha Spirit, mahalo nui loa for working so hard to destroy my faith in that spirit. You are proof that spirit can be nothing more than hype!
And to belittle us because we have the audacity to think of Kauai as our “second home” – well again, thanks for the aloha which I always understood to mean, among other things, welcome.
All I can say is shame on you for not respecting your own culture!
And Pam M… If someone removes their mask for a minute to take a photo doesn’t mean they aren’t wearing one when not the subject of a photo. Read all the other posts that talk about “tourists” being the more conscientious on mask wearing.
I love Kauai. I try to Live Aloha and what it really means as opposed to what you represent! When I’m on Kauai, I dance hula for a Hawaiian Living Treasure. I respect the culture and try to live by the spirit of Aloha. Apparently more than you all do!
Barb
You got it right it is hype it’s trendy to speak about your Aloha Spirit. It’s the definition of cultural appropriation to talk about your Aloha Spirit.
Now if a native Hawaiian living a traditional island lifestyle compliments you for your Aloha Spirit that has meaning, but when I hear every trendy woke 60 plus mainland regular visitor to the islands telling you about their Aloha Spirit it cheapens the meaning behind it.
It’s like telling people you’re a good person without letting them judge that for themselves.
I’ve been going to Hawaii since 1973 and just here recently telling people about your Aloha Spirit has become a thing. No one cares how Aloha Spirited you are it doesn’t put you into some special category allowing you to circumvent the 14 day quarantine.
Richard C…
Your insult is not only not appreciated but extremely hurtful… As one of those “woke 60 plus mainland regular visitor to the islands” (I’m 74) “telling you about their Aloha Spirit” – “it cheapens the meaning behind it”.
First… 99.99% of the people we interact with on Kauai are either natives (many of them) or very long time residents. We tend to go our own way and find quiet new spots on our own and in doing so, meet wonderful local folks who have accepted us immediately which tells me they feel our sincerity.
Second… “It’s like telling people you’re a good person without letting them judge that for themselves.” Well, we wouldn’t receive that acceptance unless they felt our sincerity.
Third… The most precious compliments I’ve received along those lines is from a dear friend here locally who is a direct descendant of Kamehameha and a Professor of Anthropological Studies who is educating myself and a few others in the ancient traditions, beliefs and ways. If she sees the Aloha Spirit in me, I don’t need to depend on you for that.
Fourth… If it wasn’t for your ungracious nasty comments, I would never have even brought up the concept of Aloha spirit.
Fifth… “No one cares how Aloha Spirited you are it doesn’t put you into some special category allowing you to circumvent the 14 day quarantine.” When did I make that correlation?
In closing… How many descendants of Kamehameha consider you family? How many Hawaiian Living Treasures call you by your Hawaiian name (“Kehaulani”) and ask you to dance hula for them when they only see you twice a year? How many total strangers have invited you to their child’s wedding after having only known you 1/2 hour and know you are a tourist? How many people have gifted you 5 pounds of salt from the Salt Pond where their family has harvested for year with a blessing?
I want to say is “how dare you insult me like that” but what I will say is “how dare you hurt me like that”
I think this is a good time for all of us to take a breath and and think about one another. Not as red states or blue states but the United States, that all have individual needs. Each state has a right to do what they think is best for their constituents. It’s not an easy job but I think the majority of our elected officials want to do what is best for their state. If we can turn me into we
we can beat this thing by working together. Pointing fingers and blaming one another is not productive and won’t help us slow the pandemic until the vaccine is rolled out. It appears it’s only a matter of months before they start giving the vaccine. When we stand together we can do anything.
We are American strong!
Flu shot only give 30% of efficacy,and it has been around for more than 40 years ,and I talk to 45,000 people in 15 years 80% said they will not take a flu shot again
and I am a RN for 40 years in the package insert stated there is mercury formaldehyde and detergent in it.and colvit 19 vaccine is going to be 94% efficacy.it will not take a rocket scientist to figure it out,think before you take it.aoloha from the bottom of my heart.
Hi guys!!
I have a question. After all that we’re trying to do to get people back to the islands and revive the economy, why are the visitors flagrantly posting photos on social media without masks in numerous places like it’s cool?
We that live on the Islands have to do what’s required but others think they’re so privileged that they flaunt it?
I’m tired of the regulations as well, but getting sick to death of the selfishness.
Please do the right thing people.
Mahalo
Mahalo Pam! I am also sick of anti maskers! I don’t care if they come from the mainland or mars! When I came back on October 9th to visit family and friends I quarantined for 14 days and continue to wear a mask when I’m anywhere close to 6ft near my fellow man. If we want businesses to stay open then we need to protect the people that will shop in their stores. Please show Aloh friends and wear your mask!
Although the pandemic presents few easy choices, Mayor Kawakami’s results speak for themselves: thanks to a strict lockdown this spring, the island eliminated community spread of the virus, experiencing zero new infections for weeks before lifting the quarantine requirement. We dodged a bullet. Although our geography allows Kauai to control spread in ways other communities never could, our remote location also vastly increases the consequences should we fail to do so. With nine (9) ICU beds at Wilcox, even a small outbreak threatens to overrun our limited healthcare infrastructure. We simply cannot afford that.
It’s flattering to see many visitors anxious to return. Nothing is fair about the predicament we find ourselves in, and there is no question the situation devastated businesses and livelihoods. No one wants to ruin your vacation, prolong unemployment, or keep businesses shuttered a moment longer than necessary. However, we must do whatever necessary to protect our community. I am thankful for the courage shown by Kawakami and Ige in making the tough choices required to make that happen.
Aloha Jeff,
I fully agree with you. Lucky us to have a mayor who cares more about our health than dollars. Yes the struggle is a reality but one that we will go through and recover. I am way more ok with people having a really hard time financially right now than dying…..
Claudia
Agreed Claudia!
Completely.
Mahalo for the words of wisdom.
When you say “ having a really hard time financially” ,is this you? We have to be honest with ourselves; ,if /when we have a “ really hard time financially “ will we still have the same humanitarian outlook?
I continue to believe that the mandatory 14 day quarantine for Kauai is drastic; that the covid numbers on Kauai could have been mitigated by moving to tier 3 or 2, and that covid management in Hawaii has less to do with the needs of individual counties,but more about political posturing.
One died and 14 commit suicide is that protecting ?build your immunity up ,live a healthy lifestyle.flu kill more people each year in Kauai check your record.
Shutting everything down is not the answer and does more harm than good.
What is their plan the next time there’s a virus or some other illness going around?
They’ll shut everything down again destroying everyone’s life again.
It’s corruption and abuse of power and quite simply the wrong thing to do.
Illness and death are parts of nature by design.
You cannot avoid them.
Right on, good smart thinking!! It’s the flu people I have had several friends and family members tested positive and all survived at home with the flu. We have to take our country back and stop this fear. My job is called living in a Petri dish 10+ hours a day, and I see hundreds of people daily I haven’t got it.
You have been very blessed so far Loree!
I wonder how the families and friends of the 267,000 dead people in the United States feel today? Count you blessings and remember there are many people suffering from the havoc the Coronavirus has caused. Aloha!
That number is way over done! I had two friends both had been tested NEGATIVE days before died and both had Covid as cause on death certificate but neither had Covid. So I trust none of it!
I agree with you totally ! Right on! We need to keep our liberty and stand up for it.aloha!
Past time to recall Ige and Kawakami.
Everybody knows neither of them actually care about the people of Hawaii.
Anyone ignorant enough to think they can stop a virus from spreading through society is in fact a total moron.
Not only can you not stop a virus from spreading throughout society but if you lock down and quarantine everyone like Democrats are doing you are keeping it in society for longer periods of time which increases exposure to everyone. That includes people that already had it many months before. They are now susceptible to getting it again.
That means they are likely to spread it again to others.
COVID-19 is no reason to shut down society.
The fatality rate is <2%.
Out of that 2% by far most that die were very ill or elderly and would of died from the regular flu or another illness.
Shutting everything down for an extended period of time is destroying millions of lives financially.
Destroying everyone financially and controlling them is the Democratic agenda.
Vote Democratic if you want to be a slave.
If they had opened everything up and never shut anything down then the virus would of been gone by now.
So true!!!!